| | Knowing where you’ve come from is critical in charting where you’re going. Alberta cow/calf producers are increasingly aware of the value of knowing their own costs and returns as a key component in managing their businesses.
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Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development (AFRD) has a rich history in research, information development and extension. By now you’ve heard a fair amount about AgriProfit$ and CowProfit$. To clarify what these initiatives are "all about", I’ll describe each briefly and note how they’re related. This will help you make best use of the information, technology and expertise AFRD has to offer.
The AgriProfit$ program has served Alberta’s agriculture industry for many years. It is an analysis, benchmarking and research program offered through AFRD in Edmonton.
- Producers complete forms on each farm enterprise they want analyzed, with the assistance of a trained interviewer.
- Farm information is logged into a confidential database in Edmonton.
- Participants receive detailed business analyses on their cow herd, individual crop, forage and grazing parcels, plus farm financial reports.
- The pool of producer information is used to create benchmark information for use by producers. These are in the same format as individual reports allowing direct comparison.
- With these reports in hand, consultations with AFRD farm management and production specialists are typically far more productive.
- The database is also used for further research into the economics of producing agricultural commodities in the Province (eg. cow/calf operations),
- Benchmark and research information is also valuable to AFRD extension, research and program staff, producer organizations, agribusinesses, and educational institutions.
AFRD research and extension staff recognized long ago the value of "on-farm" information and quality benchmarks in supporting producers’ decision-making. At the same time, producers’ information and decision-making needs are very diverse. Although the AgriProfit$ analyses fit the bill in most cases, a simpler alternative was needed, especially for those just starting to analyze their operations.
The CowProfit$ initiative was the answer. It is designed as a starting point for producers to develop and use their own basic cost and returns profiles with the main emphasis on cow herd "dollars & cents". It has software, information and business management training components.
- CowProfit$ software is for use by producers on their own home computers.
- Information requirements are generally simpler … the emphasis is on getting producers comfortable with generating and using their own farm numbers.
- Training sessions are being organized this fall for producers interested in learning how to use the software and then how to apply their analyses.
- Information packages and benchmarks are being put together to complement the initiative.
How are these initiatives related? CowProfit$ development was lead by AFRD specialists with assistance from AgriProfit$ staff.
- Calculations and reports are directly comparable. AgriProfit$ benchmarks can be used directly by CowProfit$ users.
- Producers familiar with CowProfit$ can easily "contribute" their information to the AgriProfit$ program … supporting research into the economics and management of cow/calf businesses. This will be valuable to Alberta producers in their future management and decision-making
- AgriProfit$ or CowProfit$ analyses are sound bases for consultation with AFRD extension staff.
What’s this all about? … a way for you to improve your "Profit$" from your cow herd and your farm!
Dale A. Kaliel
Sr. Economist: Production Economics
Edmonton, AB
(780) 427-5390
| We’d like your comments and questions about the articles featured in this newsletter. Suggestions for future issues are also welcome. Please contact me at: |
E-Mail:
Phone:
or, by mail, at: | Dale A. Kaliel
(780) 427-5390
302, 7000-113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6
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| AgriProfit$ | If you’d like to learn more about and/or participate in our research program, please contact me at the above.
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| Cow Profit$ | If you’re interested in the CowProfit$ software, training or seminars, contact:
Ted Darling at (403) 948-8524, or Jeff Millang at (403) 556-4220 |
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